Parashat D’varim (Words) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1-3:22 Haftarah: Isaiah 1:1–27 Shabbat Hazon (Vision) This week’s reading from the Haftarah is the last of the three weeks’ reading prior to the ninth of Av (known as Tisha … Read More
Walking the Walk
Parashat Mattot (Tribes) & Masei (Tribes and Journeys) Bamidbar (Numbers) 30:2-32:42 & 33:1-36:13 Haftarah: Jeremiah 2:4-28, 3:4, 4:1-2 In the Parashah of this week, we read a description of the journeys of the children of … Read More
The Mystery of Grace & Judgment
Parashat Pinchas Bamidbar (Numbers) 25:10-30:1 Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3 During the next three weeks, there are special readings from the Haftarah portions called “Between the Mitzarim (Afflictions)”. The term “Between the Mitzarim” can also refer to … Read More
A Stumbling Block
Parashat Balak Bamidbar (Numbers) 22:2–25:9 Haftarah: Micah 5:6–6:8 In this week’s Parashah, we read of the famous story of Balak and Balaam. Balak was the king of Moab and although Hedid not know the God … Read More
History Doesn’t Lie – Part 2
Parashat Chukat (Statute of) Bamidbar (Numbers) 19:1-22:1 Haftarah: Judges 11:1-33 As I prepared to write this week’s commentary, I felt that it is important to repost what I wrote last year with some additional thoughts. … Read More
When God’s Best Isn’t “Enough”
Parashat Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1-18:32 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22 In this week’s Parashah, we read of Korach, who was the great grandson of Levi (and cousin of Moses and Aaron). As a descendant of Levi, … Read More
Trusting When We Don’t See
Parashat Shelach (Send Forth) Bamidbar (Numbers) 13:1-15:41 Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24 As I prepared to write this week’s commentary, the word “trust” kept coming back to me. As I look at my life as a follower … Read More
The Realness of His Presence
Parashat Behaalot’ha (When You Kindle) Bamidbar (Numbers) 8:1–12:6 Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7 (2:10 in the Hebrew Bible) How does God’s presence translate into our everyday lives? In other words, what are the things that we would … Read More
Paul’s Zeal for the Kingdom
Parashat Nasso (Lift Up) Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21-7:89 Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25 In my most recent commentary, I wrote that just like the Levites, we His followers are called to take care of God’s kingdom on this … Read More
Guarding the Kingdom
Parashat Bamidbar (In the Desert/Wilderness) Numbers 1:1-4:20 Maftir: Numbers 28:11-15 Haftarah: 1 Samuel 20:18-42 Why did the Levitical priests receive such an important task in guarding the tabernacle of the testimony? Let’s see what our … Read More